Dehydrator for preservation of human bodies after decease



p 1932- w. H. STRINGFIELD DEHYDRATOR FOR PRESERVATION OF HUMAN BODIES AFTER DBCEASE Filed July 7, 1930 INVENTOR:

FIELD,

ATTORNEYS. 1

Patented Sept. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES WILLIAM H. srnmerrnrjn, or PHILADELPHiA, PENNSYLVANIA Application filed Jui 2; 1930. Serial No. 466,058

The main object of the invention is the provision of improved means in the way of a novel self sealing dehydrator to be installed in a coffin containing a human corpse which will aid in the indefinite preservation of the cadaver. c

A further object is the provision of a novel container for the reception of desiccating material with automatic means insur- 1 ing a self seal against overflow of the deliquesced desiccating material, or evaporation within a coflin.

Additional objects and advantages of the means herein employed will appear more fully in the details hereinafter set forth, ref-- erence being had to-the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a coifin wherein my novel means for preservation of as the body therein has been incorporated;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the novel dehydrator as it appears when first placed in a cofltin; p i

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the dehydrator in self sealed position as it appears after the lapse of some time; and

Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the elements comprising my novel dehydrator in unassembled form.

3 For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in the accompanying drawing one form thereof which is atpresent preferred by me, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be-variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization ofthe instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

With more particular reference to the 7 drawing, wherein'similar characters of reference .indicate corresponding parts in the se'veral views of the preferred form of the invention, A designates a casket .or coffin, while B indicates my novel dehydrator.

My dehydrator comprises a vessel 8 of any suitable size and shape but preferably of a 5 configuration which may be oval shape, as illustrated, having the greatest cubical capacity' with the adaptability of fitting into one of the corners of the coffin containing the cadaver 10. The vessel 8 includes an en larged body portion 9 merging with a short tubular neck 12. As'an important feature of my dehydrator I include a valve which comprises an insertable cradle or support 13 formedof a pair of U-shaped straps '14.15 respectively, joined or riveted together in transverse relation, the ends of each of the said straps let-15 having flanges or bent-over. portion 16, which latter serveto support the cradle 13 in dependingposition fromthe neck 12 and within the interior ofthe vessel 8. In '65 the cradle 13 or the enclosure formed by the U-shaped straps 1415 a-float 17, which be of any suitable configuration but preferably cylindrical, is slidably mounted. A cap 18 having a hole 19 is secured on the neck of 7d the bottle; The annularside flange 20 of the cap 18v is'clampinglyengaged around the exterior periphery of the neck 12 inorder to v form a liquid-tight seal therein for a purpose I which will hereinafter appear. Within the interior of the dehydrator a quantity of desiccating or' deliquescing material is placed, such as calcium chloride or any other suitable hygroscopic substance 21, it being observed that Y as the moisture is extracted from the interior 6' of the casket containingthe body the hygroscopic' material 21 through its affinity for water will gradually deliquesce and rise until the float 17 is engaged, thereby causing'the latter to ascend with the gradually rising 5 liquid within the interior of the vessel 1 8. When the top 22 of the float 17 engages the door 23 of the cap 18 the hole 19 will be closed by the float or cork 17, thereby sealing the vessel '8, an opening formed in the vessel thereby preventing further ingress of" air. Thiswill not occur until the air within the; casket has been substantially dehydrated; The amount of hygroscopic material and the I W size of the vessel employed to contain same is always predetermined before interment, be-

ing based upon actual experience in this art. After the vessel 8 has been self-sealed in. the manner indicated, spilling of the deliquesced material 21 will be prevented. The

top of the float may be coated with paraifin or any suitable substance adapted to form a better seal between the roof 23 of the cap 18. I am aware that the invention may be em- 5 bodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and I therefore desire the present embodiment to; be:con sidred in: allirespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rath'erth'an to the foregoing description"toxindioateithe I scope of the invention.

Having-thusa-described myinvention,whatit;

I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let- 1 ters Patent, is:

1 A dehydrator of the kind describedicome; prising a vessel containing desiccatingl ,ma-. g V terial, saidwesselhavingsan opening formed therein, andvalve means automatically oper ated for sealing saidIopeningthereby. ren "'dering, the vessel inoperative, said valve means being responsive to the deliquesence of Isaiddessicatingmaterial, lefi'cted the extraction of moisturefrom air admittedi V through said'openin'g.

2., Adehydrator of the kind described cornv prisingin' combination a :vessel, hygroscopic material in said ves'sehfan opening; in the vessel, and n1eans including .azflo t within said vessel'goperable'by the deliquescence of the "hygroscopic material. for automatically clos lng said. opening.

31Y'A deh'. dratorof the kinddescribedcoms prising a vesselhavingan opening,j.afloat) 35 vsl-idably supported. withim the vessel, .and;

means including a v'cap; mounted on the vessel and coactingiwith said float for closingsaid opemng as the float"rises'- when material in the saidlvessel 'dliquesces. Y I f i V 40 i 4;; A}. dehydrator for .use'in 'cofii'nscontaine ingacorpses comprisingnwessel having .arneck'. .i having an' opening.. communicating? with the interior: of Isaid 1vessel,.,a float movable in.v an 7 elementsecuredlto. said necltnand acap, se v cured to the: periphery of said 'neck', saidfcap .1

having hole: in" top thereof {registering V with the said opening, saidfloatclosing said l hole-and. opening-.whenr hygroscopic material within-the vessel has deliquesced suficientlyn 5O to .cause the float=toirrisei in-the element to a point where the top, of said float engages the:- v V topofthecap: v r p 1 v WVILLIAMTH}:STRINGFIELDL, 

